Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-12-09
SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY.
A Few Comment. On the Normal or Nat-
uraI Limit Of Human Life.

Few Comments On the Normal or Nat
ural Limit of Human Life.
have befnre me the records OF no
less than fifty-two centenaranS, the de-
tails in regard to whom have been col
lected BY committee of the British
Medical Association. OF the iifty-two
no fewer than thirty-six (more than
two-thir,ls) are women. This may
probably be attributed in large part to
the comparative immunity that women
enjoy from many risks to which men
are exposed, but probably it is due not
less to their greater temperance ana 10
their freedom from the anxieties and
heartbnrnings which attend men $
struggles for influence and even for
maintenance. Medical men contend,
however, that women also possess
greater inherent vitality than men, the
mortality of girls being less than that
Of boys, even during the first year Of
life, when the female is neither more
temperate nor less ambitious than the
male, and is exposed to as many
dangers.
OF the 16 men only one was single; 10
of the 36 women were single; ID men
and 26 women, then, among the CEN
tenarians were married; but, naturally
enough, of these Al large number, all,
in fact. but 5, were widowed. Three of
the 81 were rich, 10 poor, the rest in
comfortable circumstances; were fat
(only one mani, % lean. IS medium;
only were full-biooded; the rest aver
age pale. Forty had good digestion,
which after 10l years means a good
deal. Most of the 81 have had good APP
petites, only two having appetites
classcd as actually bad; most oe them
have been through life moderate eaters;
IL, however, have eaten large quantities
of food. Only one is returned as large
eater of flesh food, and only one as a
great consumer of alcoholic liquors Qn
his case the liquor preferred has been
beer). Only eight of all the number are
classified as simply Irritable" but to
these must be added 5 classed as cir
rtable and energetic" AS to smoking g,
80 are non-smokcrs, II smoke much G.
of them being women), 3 moderately,
and 2 a little; only | chews; 81 avoid
snuff
When VIC take n number of cases
such as these in all classes of life, I'M
der many varied circumstances, and
not characterized by any special course
directed toward the attainment of mere
longevity (Which might possibly be
gained without real advantage, all that
makes life worth living being sacrificed
for life's sake), most men not affected
by specific disease, constitutional or M
herited, may hope to attain an age con
sderably exceeding three score years
and ten, or even four-score years. II
would appear, in fact, as though five
score years were the natural or norma
limit of human life, and that when mel
die many years before that age is at
tanned the fault, apart from malignant
disease or accident, has lain with them
selves. Underlying the old proverb
"Every man is IA fool or physician al
forty" there's the important truth that
it is in every mans power. if he is wise
to recognize early in life, like Cornaro
the requirements of his own constitu
ton, and the means by which all sucl
stores of vitality as it may possess may
be utilized. -Richard 4. Proctor, n
COSnaOE0iitun.